We introduce an effective field theory for the vicinity of a zero-temp
erature quantum transition between a metallic spin glass (''spin-densi
ty glass'') and a metallic quantum paramagnet. Following a mean-field
analysis, we perform a perturbative renormalization-group study and fi
nd that the critical properties are dominated by static disorder-induc
ed fluctuations, and that dynamic quantum-mechanical effects are dange
rously irrelevant. A Gaussian fixed point is stable for a finite range
of couplings for spatial dimensionality d > 8, but disorder effects a
lways lead to runaway hows to strong coupling for d less than or equal
to 8. Scaling hypotheses for a static strong-coupling critical field
theory are proposed. The nonlinear susceptibility has an anomalously w
eak singularity at such a critical point. Although motivated by a pert
urbative study of metallic spin glasses, the scaling hypotheses are mo
re general, and could apply to other quantum spin glass to paramagnet
transitions.